In one sentence, what was your focus for the year? Finding ways to encourage various opportunities for writing among primary students.

Scanning: Scanning: school-wide write; observations of student authentic writing samples
We used the data from our school-wide write to assess the students’ areas of strengths and stretches. We noticed that there was increased engagement during their writing.

Focus: We selected this focus because we noticed that our students struggled with all areas of the six traits of writing and lacked an interest or willingness to write. We were hoping to create meaningful opportunities for our students to write and share their ideas.

Hunch: Our hunch was that our students lacked exposure to literature and the typical foundational skills necessary to communicate their ideas.

New Professional Learning: We explored Ruth Culham’s 6+1 Traits of Writing, mentor texts, and Using Picture Books to Teach Writing with the Traits (K-2). Our group utilized our PLC time to collaborate and share our learning through using these resources.

Taking Action: Our team utilized mentor texts and mini-lessons to teach to individual traits. Each group member took on a different trait to focus on. We collaborated during PLC time to discuss methods of delivery within our classrooms for our specific grade level.

Checking: We used a rubric using the 6+1 Traits along with the BC performance standards to establish a baseline and as a summative assessment. We discovered that this would be beneficial to take on as a school wide project. Our learners have experienced richer writing experiences and are more willing to take risks with respect to their writing.

Reflections/Advice: We have learned that students are willing to write if we give them a variety of opportunities to write. When students have freedom, choice, and are led by their own ideas, their writing is more authentic. Next year we hope to improve on tracking students strength and progress, which we hope will provide language for ongoing communication and reporting. We would like to extend this inquiry to encompass the whole school. Our advice to other schools would be to create a collection of mentor texts that can be used with the 6+1 Traits.